The Cornish existed among the Celtic tribes of ancient Briton before the Romans, their subsequent departure, and the following arrival of Anglo-Saxons, the forefathers of the English people.
The ensuing centuries saw upheavals that involved repelling the Anglicisation of the Britons that culminated (in Cornwall’s case) in 1549, by the imposition of an English language prayer book onto a Cornish-speaking nation. However, the defeat of the Cornish uprising and the subsequent atrocities aimed at Cornish subjugation, failed to completely subdue Cornish spirit.
In November 2002, following many decades of political campaigning, brought about the recognition of the Cornish language. Further campaigns successfully achieved official recognition of Cornish ethnicity.
Cornwall was not an integral part, or formally incorporated into, the English state. Official documents had the text ‘Anglia et Cornubia’ (England and Cornwall) that provides a further understanding of Cornwall’s autonomy.
Yet Cornwall finds itself in the ignominious position of being a subordinate ‘county’ of England.
Cornwall must be recognised; to exist as a entity in its own right, similar to that of Wales and Scotland; the right to determine its own political status and freely pursue its economic, social and cultural development. A National Assembly for Cornwall will achieve those aims and Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall continues with its campaign:
‘The historic Nation of Cornwall has its own distinct identity, language and heritage. As one of the four nations inhabiting the British mainland, Cornwall has the same right to self-determination as England, Scotland and Wales. Mebyon Kernow is leading the campaign for the creation of a National Assembly for Cornwall, with the necessary powers to unlock Cornwall’s true potential
The Green Party also supports a Cornish Assembly:
‘The Green Party recognises that Cornwall has a distinct historical and geographical identity, and supports (and will actively campaign for) the establishment of an Assembly for Cornwall, which will be supported, in turn, by a new local government structure’
